On Tuesday morning, Feb. 21, I was blessed to be able to attend the Pastors Appreciation Breakfast sponsored by the Kinston Camp of Gideons International. The breakfast allows the Gideons to express appreciation for the support of local churches and to update those attending on the work of the Gideons both here at home and around the world.

The Gideons International was born as the result of a meeting between two men who wished to bring commercial travelers together for the purpose of evangelism. What began in 1908 as an association of Christian businessmen placing Bibles in hotel rooms has mushroomed into an expanding mission to provide copies of the scriptures to everyone in nearly every facet of life.

Few people understand the enormous impact the Gideons have worldwide. Gideon groups exist in 200 countries, territories, and possessions. In 2022 alone, Gideons worldwide distributed 559 million Bible and New Testaments. The group also gave out 3.3 million “life books” to young people. The group helped Chinese Christians smuggle 160,000 copies of the scriptures into China.

Most people know something of the work of the Gideons. They place copies of the Bible and New Testament in hotels, motels, schools, and centers of higher education. More than 50 percent of the scriptures distributed went to students in grammar schools, high schools, colleges, and other higher education centers.

The first Gideon Bibles appeared in 1908. By 1929, the Gideons had placed one million copies. In 2001, the number of distributions hit one billion. Just 14 years later, the Gideons had placed 2 billion copies of scripture. Today, seven years since that time, the tally now stands at 2.5 billion.

Worldwide the Gideons have 12,187 camps with 151,166 Gideons and 91,830 Auxiliary members. Auxiliary members are wives of Gideons.

The United States has 2,996 camps.

In 1950 the Gideons established the first camp in South Africa. South Africa today has 147 Gideon camps with 1,625 Gideons and 892 Auxiliary members. The first camp in Japan also began in 1950.

Camps in Finland and Norway were established in 1951 and in the Philippines in 1953. Taiwan’s first camp was founded in 1956, as was the first camp in Germany. Year after year, the Gideons establish new camps around the world.

But the purpose of this group is not to keep track of the number of scriptures distributed, camps established, and presence in countries. The Gideons are firm in their belief in the power of God’s Word. According to Romans 1:16, “The Gospel is the power of God to salvation for those who believe.”

They believe that the Lord accomplishes His purpose through His Word. They regularly quote Isaiah 55:11, which guarantees, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” To that end, the Gideons offer Bibles and New Testaments in 109 languages.

If you would like to join in the work of the Gideons, the Friends of the Gideons organization offers an opportunity for you to support their efforts to distribute copies of the Bible worldwide. If you are interested in learning more, visit FriendsOfGideons.org for more information.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.